Catholic Church facing £400k bill
The Roman Catholic Church is facing a legal bill of £400,000 after a judge ruled in favour of victims of alleged systematic abuse at a former children’s home.
The High Court has ruled that the Middlesbrough Diocese is responsible for the legal costs of about 150 former residents of St William’s Children's Home in Market Weighton.
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Brother James Carragher
It has also ruled that the Church will be responsible for the legal costs of the De La Salle Brothers who were responsible for the running of the home.
The alleged victims sued both the diocese and the Brothers, a catholic order of lay teachers, because the complex management history of the home.
A catalogue of physical and sexual abuse is alleged to have taken place at the home between 1960 and 1992.
At a November hearing it was decided that the diocese only was responsible and not the De La Salle Brothers.
The alleged victims would normally be responsible for paying towards the legal costs of the De La Salles’ bill, but the court has ruled they acted reasonably in suing both parties.
Judge Hawkesworth QC has made an interim order that the diocese should pay £400,000 towards the Brothers’ costs, which amount to £862,000.
The case has been running since 2004 and the claimants costs are already around £2m.
The diocese is appealing the decision that it is responsible.
If it is ultimately held responsible, it is estimated that the full costs and compensation bill could amount to £8m. A decision on the appeal is unlikely before the end of the year.
One brother has been jailed for abuse carried out at the home.
Brother James Carragher was sentenced to 14 years in prison after being convicted of abusing boys at the home between 1968 and 1992.
About 2,000 children went to the school over a 30 year period.
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by Jon, North Yorkshire
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 8:40PM
“I was 10 years old when I was sent to a school in Gainford where i stayed for 4 years before been sent to St William's school. In both I was sexualy aboused and have had to live with it as no one belived anything any of us said. I am now married with two girls but I still think of what happend to me and the other kids. Yes we where not angles but none of us asked for this to happen to us. It seems that some people think it's funny, try putting your selves in our shoes. We where put into the care of these people and we should have been able to trust them.”
by chris, East Yorkshire
Friday, February 12 2010, 8:30PM
“It seems to me that catholic prests are often doing this, but a Church of England Vicker dosn't.
Is it bacause a Vicker can have a wife & a priest can't
The Catholic Church needs to stop being stuypid and let their clergy have relaitionships then they won't get frustrated and the urge to be touching young boys/girls”
by Joe, Beverley
Thursday, February 11 2010, 10:40PM
“I agree with Jon from Willerby, it is sickening to know that abusers are able to hide behind the cloak of religion and use it to elevate themselves into a position of authority. There is no place for catholic-run homes in a society where everyone is equal.”
by Abdul, Hull
Thursday, February 11 2010, 9:19PM
“I am of the Muslim faith and it makes me most unhappy when people associates us with terrorists”
by Rottie, In da pulpit.
Thursday, February 11 2010, 8:22PM
“What these catholics need is a bit of Rottie Luv, I hear der is gud bones ina Catholic crunch..just let him get his bone out in my face..surprise, surprise its "ROTTIE" snap..”
by Netty, Hull
Thursday, February 11 2010, 8:19PM
“All those that have a God need to have an imaginary friend. I like hundreds of others gave up my imaginary friend when I was a child. God is someone or something for some religious people to hind behind.”
by Tom, Local
Thursday, February 11 2010, 6:38PM
“It just baffles me how people can take religious beliefs seriously. As for men in positions of religious authority, dodgy is the norm.”
by Jon, Willerby
Thursday, February 11 2010, 5:49PM
“I just wonder how many of the children Carragher abused prayed to their god for help before, during and after the assaults?
Clearly it made no difference which leads me to a couple of possible conclusions. Their god is either as sick as they are or he doesn't exist.
Whether it's depriving Africans of condoms, kidnapping children in Haiti or sexually abusing young children, the whole concept of religion is as sick as the likes of James Carragher.
Religion: the biggest cause of death, destruction, misery and suffering this planet has ever seen.”
by Sam, Hull
Thursday, February 11 2010, 5:41PM
“The case has been running since 2004 and a decision on the appeal won't be until late this year.
Six bloody years?
Why can't the catholic church, one of the riches organisations on earth show a bit of charity and settle the claims without throwing yet more money in to the bank accounts of the lawyers?
You'd think that a church which has built it's whole raison d'etre around guilt would show a bit of humility and ask forgiveness of its victims.
But since when have they or any other religion practised what they preached?”
by Sam, Hull
Thursday, February 11 2010, 4:51PM
“He's not the messiah he's a very naughty boy.
Whether it's bomb-mad-mullahs, pedobear approved young violinists, genocidal Israeli rabbis, the loonies of Christian Voice or the God Hates Fags nutters it's all music to the ears of confirmed atheists like me.
I don't think I need instruction in life from god's representatives on earth when they seem to have the moral scruples of a sewer rat.
(No offence to my rodent friends).”